Crowded park

 When I got to the park early this afternoon to run, I could see from the gate that it was crowded.  So, I checked in and then drove to the parking lot a short distance from I-45.  From there, I ran an out and back course, mostly on the  south perimeter jeep trail.  I got in 4.3 miles and never saw another person.  Today marked 11 months on my new streak.

Pineapple 5K

 I ran the non-competitive Pineapple 5K in Huntsville this morning.  Nice having a race 2 miles from my house.  Beautiful weather.  Sunny and in the 50's.  I finished in 44:02.

Friday fall

 I ran 3.5 miles on the trails at the park early this afternoon.  About a mile and a half into the run, I tripped on a root and took a hard fall.  I skinned up my knee and am sore tonight.  On the other hand, if no one was there to see and hear me fall, maybe it did not happen.  Just saying.

Park roads

 I met up with the group at the park this evening and ran 3.2 miles on the roads.

Easy trail run

 My heel was a little sore today, so I did an easy 3-mile trail run at the park this afternoon.

Sluggish

 It was in the high 80's this evening when I met up with the group at the park.  For the first time this year, I really felt sluggish.  I ran 3.1 miles on the roads.

Back to the trails

 After a couple days on the roads, I went out to the park late this morning and ran 4 miles on the trails.  Lot's of flying critters - it's definitely getting close to summer time.

Sunday Night 5K

 I ran the Sunday Night 5K in The Woodlands this evening.  It was my 124th time running this race.  It was my 17th race this year and my 1,240th race since my first one on May 1, 1983.

Blue Bell 10K

I ran the Blue Bell 10K in Brenham this morning.  This was my 19th time for running this race (some years the 5K).  They had about 3,500 registered runners, so the place was crowded.  The heel was still a little sore, but it did not bother me that much.  I thought I was running well, but I ended up about 8 minutes slower than the 10K last Saturday.  I finished in 1:42:38 and was 2nd of 3 in the 80 and over age group.  The line for free Blue Bell ice cream was too long and I gave up on that.  It was still good to visit with running friends, some I have not seen in a while.

Better

 Although still sore, my heel was much better today.  I went to the park late this morning and was not sure which would be better, roads or trails.  So, I ran 1.8 on the trails and 1.2 on the roads for a total of 3 miles.

Problem continues

The inflammation in my heel was not any better today.  I met up with the group this evening at the park with the intention of trying to run one mile to keep my streak going.  After a half mile or so of very gimpy running on the roads, the pain seem to subside (maybe numbness).  Anyway, I kept going and ran a total of 3.1 miles.  That gives me 118.6 miles for March and 351 miles for the first 3 months of 2022.

Problem

 I woke up this morning with inflammation in the back of my right heel.  I remember the doc telling me several years ago that I had a bone spur there.  I have no idea what caused the inflammation.  Since I ran park roads yesterday, I decided to get on the trails today.  Normally, I would do the minimum U. S. Running Streak Association one-mile.  However,  my streak within a streak is 3 miles.  So, I ran a painful 3 miles on the trails this afternoon.  I have iced it a couple times since and it is worse tonight.  Maybe it will be okay tomorrow.

The group at the park

I met up with the group at the park this evening and ran 3.3 miles on the roads.  Since today is Vietnam Veterans Day, Lorie suggested a group photo.

Back to the park

 After 2 days of hilly road races, I made it back out to the state park this afternoon and ran 3 miles on the trails.

Texas 10 Series Huntsville 5-Miler

 I ran the Texas 10 Series Huntsville 5-Miler this morning.  Nice weather and a chance to visit with a lot of good friends.  I realized early in the race that I was still tired from the hilly 10K yesterday.  I felt better later in the race, but my time was 1:21:47, about 5 minutes slower than my last few 5-milers.  I placed 5 of 5 in the 70 and over age group (would have been 1 of 1 if they had an 80 and over age group).

Tyler Azalea 10K

 I drove up to Tyler yesterday to run the Azalea 10K this morning.  Nice sunny weather and not too hot.  I finished in 1:34:38 and was 1st of 1 in the 80 and over age group.  This was my 11th time for running this race.  My fastest was in 1987 when I ran it in 52:33.

Friday short run

 With a race tomorrow morning, I went to the park last this morning and ran 3.1 miles on the roads.

Thursday with the group

 I met up with the group at the park this evening and ran 3.3 miles on the roads.

4 on the trails

 I made it out to the park late this morning and ran 4 miles on the trails.

Tuesday with the group

 I met up with the group at the park this evening and ran 3.3 miles on the roads.

Almost empty park

After a crowded spring break week, the park was almost empty today.  I got there about noon and ran 3.3 miles on the roads.

Club run at the park

 We had our club's annual 3.5-mile non-competitive run on the trails at Huntsville State Park this afternoon.  My job is to hike 1 mile out to a trail intersection and take photos and make sure everyone makes the right turn.  Then, hike back.  So, this morning I went out to the park before the race and ran the 3.5-mile course.

Green Ultra 10K Trail Run

I made the 52-mile drive over to Millican this morning and ran the Green Ultra 10K Trail Run.  The course was a little different this year and, according to my GPS, only a little over the 10K distance.  Very technical course, mostly winding, narrow trail with plenty of roots, rocks, creeks and embankments.  Perfect weather, though.  Sunny and in the 40's and 50's.  I finished in 1:57:52 and was first of one in the 80 and over age group.  Actually, I was the only male runner over 60.

Park is still crowded

 The state park is still crowded due to spring break.  With a race tomorrow, I went out to the park and ran 3 miles on the trails early this afternoon.

Twice to the park

 I went to the state park twice today.  After lunch, I took my 6-year old grandson for a hike on the trails.  Now, every stick and pine cone near the trail is in the lake.  This evening, I met up with the group and ran 3.1 miles on the park roads, the last mile or so in a light rain.

5 on the trails

 It was warm this afternoon and the park is crowded for spring break.  Early this afternoon, I ran 5 miles on the trails.

Park roads

 I met up with the group at the crowded state park (spring break) this evening.  I ran 3.9 miles on the busy roads.

Removed the stitches

 I ran 3 miles on the trails at the park late this morning and then removed the stitches from my hand.

Back to the trails

 The park was pretty crowded when I got there early this afternoon.  I figured that there was too much traffic to run on the roads, so I headed out on the trails.  I was just careful not to trip and fall and break the stitches in my hand.  Got in 5 miles.

Run the Ramps 5K

I ran the Run the Ramps 5K at Kyle Field in College Station this morning.  I am not sure how old this race is.  I first ran it in 1997 and today was my 14th time.  Since 1997, it has been put on by three different organizations at Texas A&M.  The course has been changed many times and while Kyle Field was being expanded, it was not held at all.  Currently, the course starts and finishes on the track.  It makes 3 trips up and down the ramps and circles the top walkway around the field 3 times.  It includes 2 sets of stairs on one side of the walkway.  I  finished in 47:21, about 3 minutes slower than last year.  They did not have age group awards, but I would have been 1 of 1 in the 80 and over age group.

Roads on Friday

 I made it out to the park late this morning and ran 3.3 miles on the roads.

10 months

My 5th streak has now reached 10 months.  I met up with the group at the park this evening and ran 3.5 miles on the park roads.  That makes 6 months of at least 3 miles a day.

Noon at the park

 I started running at the park at noon today.  Got in 5.1 miles, all on the roads.

Roads, again

As usual for Tuesday, I met up with the group at Huntsville State Park this evening and ran 3.2 miles on the roads. 

Back to the park

 I have not run at the state park since last Thursday, when I took a hard fall on the trails.  I went back out there late this morning and ran 3.3 miles on the roads.

Squeezed in a run

I had a family get together in Conroe this afternoon.  So, after church this morning, I went to the track and ran 3 miles, which is about my mental limit on an oval.

TW Marathon 10K

I had to get up super early this morning to get down to The Woodlands to get a parking spot and start the 10K at 7:10 am.  The race is held in conjunction with TW Marathon and Half Marathon.  Warm weather, with temps in the 70's.  I finished in 1:40:31, about 10 minutes slower than last year.  My hand was wrapped due to the fresh stitches and I suppose I went slower to avoid tripping and falling on the concrete.  In any case, I was 4th of 5 in the 75 and older age group.

Ran in The Woodlands

 My hand hurt last night enough to keep me awake seemingly most of the night.  I drove down to The Woodlands late this morning to pick up my packet for The Woodlands 10K tomorrow.  After picking up the packet and visiting a few friends at the Expo, I ran 3.1 miles on the Waterway

Trail run and ER visit

 I met up with the group at the park this evening and ran 3.1 miles on the trails.  I tripped on a root at about 2.7 miles and took a hard fall.  I cut the palm of my left hand (presumably on a root) and had a few other cuts.  I finished the run and Curtis and Jacob doctored up my cut with stuff and had in their first aid kits.  I went home and took a shower and then went to the running club meeting.  Later, I decided to go to the ER to get snitches.  I spent over 2 hours there.  Being 80 years old, they want to check everything.  Finally, about midnight, I left ER with about a inch and a half of stitches in my hand.  So, I guess it will be roads only for a while.

Late morning trails

 Late this morning, I ran 5.2 miles on the trails at the park.

Park roads

 I met up with the group at the state park this evening and ran 3.2 miles on the nearly empty roads.

Finishing up the month

 I ran 3.2 miles on the trails at the park early this afternoon.  It was a short month, but I finished with 107.2 miles, an average of 3.83 per day.

Warmer weather

 Nice sunny day.  It was in the 50's when I got to the park this afternoon to run.  Did 4.2 miles on the trails.

The Woodlands 5K

 I ran The Woodlands 5K this morning.  It is an event of The Woodlands Marathon, which is next weekend.  It was cold this morning, but the rain held out until after the race.  My time was 44:25 and I placed 3rd of 5 in the 75 and over age group.  This was my 10th race for 2022.

A little warmer

 It was 41 degrees when I went out to the park early this afternoon to run.  Ran 4 miles on the trails and never saw anyone else.

Same run

 I ran the same 3.1-mile loop on the trails at the park this evening.  It was one degree colder today, plus a light rain in the last mile.

Temperature drop

 After two days of hot weather, it was 35 degrees when I ran at the park this afternoon.  In fact, it was a little colder when I finished 3.1 miles on the trails.  Not surprisingly, I did not see anyone else on the trails.

Another warm day

 I met up with the group at the park this evening and ran 3.1 miles on the roads.  It was another warm day - with mosquitos. 

Warm

 The weather here changes so fast.  After cold weather this weekend, it was in the 80's when I went out to the park to run early this afternoon.  Got in 5 miles on the trails.

Crowded park

 I went out to the park early this afternoon to run.  I had to wait in line for a while to get in the gate.  I ran 3 miles on the trails and passed about 150 people.  Most were hiking, but a few were bikers.  No one else running.  I do not recall ever seeing that many people on the trails.

Law Week 8K

 I got up real early this morning to drive to downtown Houston to run the Law Week 8K (4.96 miles).  It is one of the oldest races in Houston and well-organized and supported.  They had about 500 runners, including some good friends.  I finished in 1:12:04 and was 2nd of 2 in the 80 and over age group.  My good friend, Larry Lindeen, was first.  I last ran this race 5 years ago and finished in 1:04:52.

Race tomorrow

 With a race in the morning, I only ran 3 miles on the trails at the park today.

Lorie joined us

 Lorie joined the group at the park this evening.  We have not seen her for a couple months, so it was good to catch up.  I ran 3.1 miles on the park roads.

Out and back

 Late this morning, I ran a out and back course on the trails at the state park.  Total 5 miles.

Unplanned course

 I met up with the group at the park this evening and ran an unplanned course on the trails.  Even ran some trails I have not been on for a while.  I ended up with 3.4 miles.

Late run

 I had visiting family today and did not get out to the park until late.  I managed to get in 3.2 miles on the roads before dark.

Texas 10 Series Bridgeland 5-Miler

 It was a little below freezing early this morning for the Texas 10 Series Bridgeland 5-Miler in Cypress.  I finished in 1:16:51 and was 3rd of 3 in the 70 and over age group.  Got a chance to visit with a lot of good friends.

Spindle Tree Parkrun 5K

 I ran the Spindle Tree Parkrun 5K in Magnolia (behind The Woodlands)  this morning.  The race is part of the world-wide parkrun system and is held every Saturday at 7:30 am. I got to the parking lot 45 minutes ahead of the race.  No one showed up, so about 7:20, I started looking around.  I found a sign with and arrow to the parkrun.  So, I followed the signs.  They kept taking me down through the neighborhood.  A half mile later, I found the race (next to another parking lot).  As it was nearly 7:30, I arrived at the race site running.  The race had already started.  I ran to the start line and ran the course.  I finished in 48:04, which included my late start.  The good news is that the forecasted rain held off, I was first in the 80-84 age group and my friend, Jon Walk, gave me a ride back to my truck.

Warmer

 It was sunny and 72 degrees when I went to the park to run late this morning.  Did 4 miles on the trails.

Thursday with the group

 As usual for Thursday, I met up with the group at the park this evening.  I ran 4.2 miles on the trails.

Nice weather

 This cool and sunny weather is nice for running.  I made it out to the park this afternoon and ran 5 miles on the trails.

Another 4

 I met up with the group at the park this evening and ran another 4 miles on the trails.  To get in 100 miles this short month, I have to average 3.44 every day for the rest of the month.

Early afternoon on the trails

 I ran 6 miles early this afternoon on the trails at the park.

Sunday Night 5K

 I ran the Sunday Night 5K in The Woodlands this evening and finished in 45:15.

Old neighborhood

 With the Rocky Raccoon 100-Mile Trail Run in full swing at Huntsville State Park this weekend, I had to run in town.  After working out at Iron Works late this morning, I ran from there to and around Forest Hills, my old neighborhood for 20+ years.  I got stopped by a couple friends, but got in 3.5 miles on the streets.

27 and breezy

 Another cold day.  I went to the park early this afternoon and ran 3 miles on the trails.  I did not see anyone else on the trails, but with the Rocky Raccoon 100 tomorrow at the park tomorrow, there was a lot of activity going on.

33 and rain

 It was 33 degrees and raining when I ran at the park late this morning.  I ran 3.1 miles on the roads and got stopped 3 times by people driving by.

Combined run

 Late this morning, I went to the park to run.  The first 1.7 miles was on the roads.  Then, I got on the trails, ran some trails that I have not run in a long time, and finished up with a total of 5.4 miles.

Dry 3.1

 Since it is Tuesday, I met up with the group at the park this evening and ran 3.1 miles on the road.  No rain today.

Rainy 3 miles

 I went to the park late this morning and ran 3 miles on the roads in the rain.  That gives me 125.2 miles for the month, which is more than any month in 2021.

Texas 10 Series College Station 5-Miler

For the second morning in a row, I was up very early.  This morning, I ran the Texas 10 Series 5-Miler in College Station.  I finished in 1:13:46 and was 2nd of 2 in the 70 and over age group.  I also won $50 cash in the post-race drawing.

Hog Wild 10K Trail Run

 I ran the Hog Wild 10K Trail Run on a ranch in Bremond this morning.  The course is long (6.4 miles according to my GPS) and I finished in 1:44:00.  I was first in the 80 and over age group.  They had some good food after the race and I got a chance to visit with some old friends.

Two races this weekend

 With two races this weekend, I went to the park this morning and ran just 3 miles on the trails.

No violin music on the trails today

 I met up with the group at the park this evening and ran 3.1 miles on the trails.  The lady playing the violin on the trails was not there today.

Something new on the trail

 I ran 4.2 miles at the park this afternoon, most of it on the trails.  After over 30 years running those trails, I saw something new today.  A lady was alone and standing in the middle of a trail bridge - playing a violin.  She even had a music stand in front of her.  I did not even stop to ask why.  Later today, I emailed a professional violinist friend of mine and asked her if it was some violinist ritual.  She just thought it was strange, too.

Back with the group

 I met up with the group at the park this evening and ran 3.6 miles on the roads.

Cold and rainy

I made it to the park early this afternoon and ran 3.1 miles on the park roads in the cold (40's) and rain.

Back to regular trails

 Late this morning, I went to the park and ran 7 miles on the trails.  Nice clear weather in the 60's and a lot of people at the park.

Frost Your Fanny 5K

 I ran our club's Frost Your Fanny 5K in the Spring Lake Sub-division this morning.  The temperature was in the 20's and the course hilly has heck.  I finished in 46:55.

Last Quarantine Run

 This was the last day of my COVID quarantine.  I went to the park about noon and ran 3.3 miles on the empty south perimeter road.

3.1 at noon

 It was about noon today when I got to the park.  I ran 3.1 miles on the south perimeter road.

10K distance

 I made it out to the park late this morning and ran 6,2 miles, almost all on the south perimeter road

Empty south perimeter road

 I made it out to the park early this afternoon and ran 3.2 miles on the south perimeter road.  I had it all to myself.

Same

 I went out to the park early this afternoon and ran the same 4-mile course as yesterday.

Back to the south perimeter trail

 Because of COVID, no church this morning.  So, late this morning after watching Houston Marathon coverage on TV, I went to the park and ran 4 miles on the south perimeter trail.  I saw a couple other people, but there is plenty of room for adequate spacing.

Cold and windy

 It was in the mid-40's and very windy when I went out to the park early this afternoon.  To avoid people, I went out to the outer parking lot and ran the south perimeter jeep trail.  Two and a half miles out and back for a total of 5 miles.  Still no fever and just a little sinus drainage.  Good luck to all my friends running the Houston Marathon tomorrow.

Positive

 I was surprised about midnight last night when I received an email saying that my COVID test was positive.  I called my doc this morning and he told me to keep taking the medication he prescribed for a sinus infection.  No fever for 3 days now, just some sinus drainage, sore throat and occasional coughing.  I went out to the park late this morning and ran 4 miles on the trails, making sure I stayed clear of everyone.

No COVID test results, yet

 Hopefully, my COVID test results will be in soon.  I have not had a fever since Tuesday, so I expect the sinus infection diagnosis was correct and the prescribed medication is working.  I would be very surprised if the COVIED test results come back positive.  In the meantime, I met up with the group at the park this evening and ran 3.l miles on the roads.

Trails after COVID testing

 Even though the doc thinks I have a sinus infection, he recommended COVID testing.  So after getting tested late this morning at a kiosk, I went straight to the park and ran 4 miles on the trails.

Hard 3 miles

 I had a doctors appointment this morning, by phone.  My temp was over 100.  He diagnosed my problem as a sinus infection and prescribed medication.  However, he wants me to get tested for COVID.  I have an appointment tomorrow morning.  I met up with the group at the park this evening and with a fever was tempted to run one mile.  I ended up running 3 miles on the park roads. 

Empty trails

 I went out to the park late this morning and ran 3 miles on the trails.  Never saw another person on the trails.  Today marked 8 months on my current running streak (never less than a mile).  However, today also marked 4 months of running at least 3 miles a day.  Tonight, I have a fever, presumably a sinus infection.  Hopefully, I can see my doc tomorrow.

Sunday afternoon at the park

 This afternoon, I ran 7 miles on the trails at the park.  I encountered one other runner, a lot of bikers and hikers and one green snake.

Run The Woodlands 5K

 For the 106th time, I ran the Run The Woodlands 5K this morning and finished in 46:13.

Regular 4

 Late this morning, I went to the park and ran what is becoming my "regular" 4-mile out and back course on the trails.  I know the roots so well, I avoided tripping and falling again.

Road 5K distance

 As usual for Thursday, I met up with the group this evening and ran 3.1 miles on the park roads.

4 on the trails

 Late this morning, I ran 4 miles on the trails at the park.  High 60's and sunny.

Park seems back to normal

 The park seems to be back to normal now that the holidays are over.  There was no line to get in when I met up with the group this evening.  I ran 3.1 miles on the roads.

Clear and in the 40's

 Nice running weather today.  I made it out to the park this afternoon and ran 4.2 miles on the trails.

Sunday Night 5K

 I ran the Sunday Night 5K in The Woodlands this evening and finished in 44:10.  The temperature was about 40 degrees cooler than yesterday.  Low 40's and very comfortable running weather.

New Years Resolution 10K

 I ran our club's New Years Resolution 10K this afternoon.  The course is a very hilly out and back, mostly on Veterans Memorial Parkway.  Plus, the temperature was in the 80's (tomorrow's low temperature is suppose to be 28).  I finished in 1:41:30, about 6 minutes slower than last year.